Refugees Make the BAG2WORK Bags from Recycled Life Vests and Boats
Joey Haar — October 30, 2016 — Art & Design
References: kickstarter & dezeen
BAG2WORK is a project centered around the current refugee crisis taking place in European countries. Conceived by Didi Aaslund and Floor Nagler, two Dutch designers working under the moniker of No Mad Makers, the BAG2WORK project works hand-in-hand with refugees to create and sell stylish bags made from discarded materials from their journeys.
Each BAG2WORK bag measures 21 liters. They are made from one square meter of life boat rubber for the body and four life vest straps which act as arm loops and straps to keep the bags closed.
Due to the massive populations of refugees arriving, there is no shortage of leftover vests and boats on the Greek island of Lesbos where No Mad Makers' workshop is set up. The group hopes to gain enough funds to transport these materials to their home workshop in Amsterdam, where they will employ refugees who can't find work.
Each BAG2WORK bag measures 21 liters. They are made from one square meter of life boat rubber for the body and four life vest straps which act as arm loops and straps to keep the bags closed.
Due to the massive populations of refugees arriving, there is no shortage of leftover vests and boats on the Greek island of Lesbos where No Mad Makers' workshop is set up. The group hopes to gain enough funds to transport these materials to their home workshop in Amsterdam, where they will employ refugees who can't find work.
Trend Themes
1. Upcycling Refugee-made Products - Designers are transforming the refugee crisis into an opportunity by upcycling discarded materials to create unique and innovative products.
2. Social Entrepreneurship - Through the BAG2WORK project, designers are creating a social entrepreneurship model that allows refugees to utilize their skills to earn a living.
3. Environmental Sustainability - The use of recycled materials in the production of BAG2WORK bags is a trend that showcases the shift towards environmental sustainability.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry can explore innovative ways of incorporating recycled materials into high-end designs, similar to BAG2WORK.
2. Social Enterprise - The social entrepreneurship industry can use the BAG2WORK model as an inspiration to create more sustainable income-generating opportunities for refugees and other marginalized groups.
3. Recycling and Waste Management - By utilizing discarded materials and converting them into innovative products, the recycling and waste management industry can create more sustainable and profitable business models.
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